Dilhara, like many of his contemporaries learnt to enhance his fast bowling skills at one of the many bowling academies dotted around Sri Lanka.

He also went to Chennai in India where he trained at a fast bowlers clinic in 1998 before being picked to play for Sri Lanka A and then joining the Test set-up against Pakistan in June 2000.

He has been in and out of the side since, with injury ruling him out for over six months towards the end of 2001.

Dilhara's comeback in the last six months has been nothing short of remarkable.

Consistent performances in the ICC Champions Trophy were followed by a great effort in the triangular series in Australia, where figures of four for 48 made him one of the few shining lights for Sri Lanka.